Look, finding good extensions in Chicago isn't hard. Finding great ones — the kind where nobody can tell — that's a different conversation.
I've seen every version of bad extensions walk through our door. Tracks showing at the crown. Bonds that melted in a blowout. Hair that looked like it belonged to a completely different person. The common thread? Whoever installed them picked a method first and tried to make the client fit it. We do the opposite.
Method matters more than brand
Most extension salons in Chicago specialize in one method. That's their hammer, and every client looks like a nail. We train our team across hand-tied, tape-in, keratin fusion, and clip-in because the honest answer to "what's the best extension method?" is: it depends entirely on you.
Your hair density, your scalp sensitivity, how often you wash, whether you work out daily — all of it factors in. A fine-haired client who runs five miles a day needs a completely different approach than someone with thick hair who heat-styles once a week.
Hand-tied wefts
This is what we recommend most often, and there's a reason. Hand-tied wefts lay flat, distribute weight evenly, and cause the least tension on your natural hair. They're sewn onto a bead row — no heat, no glue, no damage to the strand itself.
The install takes about two hours. Maintenance appointments every 6–8 weeks. Most clients get 8–12 months from a quality set before needing replacement hair.
They're not for everyone, though. If your hair is very fine or your scalp is sensitive to tension, we might steer you toward tape-ins instead.
Tape-in extensions
Tape-ins are thinner, lighter, and faster to install — usually 45 minutes to an hour. They work well for finer hair because they don't create a concentrated point of weight the way some methods do.
The trade-off: they need to be moved up every 6–8 weeks without exception, and certain products (anything oil-based near the bonds) can cause slippage. If you're someone who forgets maintenance appointments, these probably aren't your best bet.
Keratin bond / fusion
Individual strand-by-strand attachment using a keratin polymer. The most natural movement of any method — each extension strand moves independently, just like your real hair. Great for clients who wear their hair up a lot, since there are no wefts or tapes to hide.
The install is longer (2–3 hours) and the removal requires a specific solvent. Not ideal if you like to switch things up frequently. But for a long-term, undetectable result? Hard to beat.
What a consultation actually covers
Every extension client at Reverie starts with a consultation. Not a sales pitch — an actual assessment. We look at your hair under proper lighting, check density and elasticity, talk through your routine and your goals. Sometimes we tell people they don't need extensions at all. Maybe a few highlights and a good blowout would get them where they want to be.
We'd rather lose the sale than put extensions on someone who won't be happy with them in three months.
The cost question
Extensions aren't cheap, and anyone quoting you $200 for a full head is cutting corners somewhere — usually on hair quality. At Reverie, hand-tied extensions start around $800 for the installation, with the hair itself ranging from $400–$1,200 depending on length and volume. Tape-ins start lower. Keratin bonds fall somewhere in between.
We'll give you exact pricing at your consultation once we know what you actually need. No surprises.
Aftercare isn't optional
Extensions are an investment, and they last as long as you take care of them. That means sulfate-free shampoo (we carry Davines and recommend it for all extension clients), brushing from the bottom up with a loop brush, and sleeping with your hair in a loose braid.
Skip the aftercare and you'll be back in our chair sooner than you want to be. Follow it and those extensions will look salon-fresh for months.
Book a consultation
If you're considering extensions, book a consultation at Reverie Salon. We're in River North — easy to get to from anywhere in the city. We'll tell you honestly whether extensions are the right move for your hair, which method makes sense, and what it'll cost. No pressure, no upsell. Just a straight answer from people who do this every day.
